Holly Holm ‘just a little far apart’ on making a deal with UFC, ready for Octagon debut

As Holly Holm looks to extend her professional MMA record to 6-0 Friday night, the question remains just how far “The Preacher’s Daughter” is from fighting in the UFC.

According to her long-time coach Mike Winkeljohn, the UFC has already offered her a deal.

“We have talked to the UFC a few times already,” Winkeljohn told MMAFighting.com. “We’re just a little far apart on making the deal. We’re just waiting for the UFC to make the right deal, and we’re ready to go.”

The 32-year-old Holm, a decorated boxer with a 33-3-2 record, has won all of her MMA fights via either knockout or TKO. She faces Angela Hayes (6-6) at Fresquez Productions in Albuquerque, N.M. Friday night. The fight will stream live at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on HollyHolm.com.

Winkeljohn said the plan is to revisit fighting in the UFC if all goes well against Hayes. Holm still has two more fights left on her Legacy FC contract, but there’s a clause in the deal that allows her to sign with the UFC whenever she wants.

“Holly is ready for anybody out there,” Winkeljohn said. “The top two or three are tough fights but she’s already there. She’s that good. Looking forward to shocking the world when we do get in there.”

UFC president Dana White said in October that he’s never seen Holm fight, but he’s asked about her constantly.

“I was on the street the other day, and some guy was like, ‘Hey! Sign Holly Holm!’” White said following UFC 166 in Houston. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I know. Everybody’s telling me.

“I haven’t seen her fight, but I keep hearing about her. She’s like the female Conor McGregor.”